[TADSLOS]

OK, I'll tone down the hyperbole. My point is this. Your claim makes perfect sense on its face. Like you, I don't use narcotics and never have, and I don't give a rat's ass if Joe Dirt wants to smoke a joint, snort a line of coke or smoke crack alone or with other like minded adults in a private setting either. It's his life and if he wants to fry his brain that's his choice- until he poses a threat to an innocent kid in that setting or he uses his fried brain in some dangerous manner towards me or my family. The rub with my "live and let live" attitude is that neither you or I can keep Joe or his brain fried buddies from wandering into traffic or doing other mind addled nefarious deeds until they gain sobriety (if ever, in some cases).

Also, As far as the government is concerned, the devil's in the details (or in this case, the same government that is woefully failing to secure the border and stem the drug trade coming from Mexico(in this case)is the same government that would be responsible to collect taxes and somehow turn it into a victimless extension of free enterprise.

I wish it could be that "live and let live" simple, but I know it will create more bureaucratic problems and tragedy than it will ever solve. Besides, the Mexican drug lords will just undercut the retail and tax costs by offering their wares at cheaper prices in a tax free black market environment. I guess the IRS can go after them then instead of a non-existent DEA, but they can't/won't even collect income taxes from the other 50% of our population now that's supposed to be paying taxes, so I don't have much faith and confidence in their ability to enforce the plan you propose.

[MeanWestTexan]

“The rub with my “live and let live” attitude is that neither you or I can keep Joe or his brain fried buddies from wandering into traffic or doing other mind addled nefarious deeds until they gain sobriety (if ever, in some cases).”

Here again, drug use DECLINES with legalization. So we would actualy be safer from Joe Dirt. Also, with a consistent, regulated, product, the effects would be more predictable.

Also, on the public safety issue, just as gang-land shootings dropped, so would these drug wars.

El Paso has become a virtual no-go city. Kidnappings, shoot-outs in down town, etc.

Phoenix is the kidnapping capital of the world.

Innocent people are getting killed in the crossfire.

“is the same government that would be responsible to collect taxes and somehow turn it into a victimless extension of free enterprise.”

Strangely, somehow the tax portion of our government always seems to work.

“Besides, the Mexican drug lords will just undercut the retail and tax costs by offering their wares at cheaper prices in a tax free black market environment.”

That’s just not going to happen. Drug lords are horribly inneficient compared to Phillip Morris and won’t be able to match the price. Sure, some people drive miles to go to Indian Reservations to avoid cig taxes, but not very much — -and they buy Phillip Morris, sans tax, not some Mexican tobacco.